The RIGHT way to call Last-Name of Mandarin Speaker
Mandarin is the most interesting language to many English speakers. A lot of time we wouldn’t bother how to communicate with Chinese people through Mandarin because it can be interpreted. The only exceptional part is: the Last-name
Peoples carry their last-name anytime/anywhere and willing to be pronounced right as native, but English speakers did always facing problems to call the last-name of Mandarin speaker.
Why? Did I spell wrong? Can we really find a way to say it right ?
Actually the problem is not caused by English, but Chinese phonics system. In 1954, Chinese government initialed new Mandarin phonics system, called HAN YU PIN YIN. It is mainly using latin alphabet to pronounce Chinese characters, but with modification. Later on most Chinese people use it to officially translate their name. We all know that the Last-name is not easily legally changeable. Because these phonics changed other than english system, we say it wrong by following English way.
I am the Mandarin Interpreter in western country and realized how difficult it is by the confusion of those modification. So here is the way to tune the Mandarin Last-name close to its original:
By key-in the Mandarin Last name below, you are going to find how you say it wrong in English, also can find the equivalent spelling which you can sound perfectly and easily through English phonics. You can actually hear the recording by real English speaker.
Hope it could help you greeting to your Mandarin clients and friends.
Transliteration For Mandarin Last-name: